Instructions for installing on the 9900:
1. Download the above OS file to the PC then install it to the PC by running (double clicking) the file you downloaded.
2. Go to c:\program files\common files\research in motion\apploader and delete the file named "vendor.xml." Vista/Win7 users: In the apploader folder, simply click on "Compatibility files" to see the actual Vendor.xml file. Once you've got that - simply delete the vendor.xml file there (even if you've deleted or think you've deleted it in the folder previously) and voila, it will allow you to update to the newly installed OS!
3. Plug in BB and double click on "Loader.exe." It's located in the same place as the above vendor.xml file.

The process may take up to 45 minutes to an hour depending on how much data you have to backup and restore during the process. Once it's done loading the new OS it will reboot (it may do this twice during the entire process.) You will see a black "BlackBerry" screen with a status bar for up to 20 minutes at a time while the DM says "waiting for initialization."
If, for some reason, you end up with a white screen with small icons and the number 507, simply connect to the PC again and run Loader.exe again, and it should load the OS to the device.

ATT , no 2G option under Network options!! Anyone else experiencing this? I've read in some other forums that this *may* be carrier specific, but it does not make sense as it seems OS related. I often switch to 2G to save my battery. Coverage is not the best at times.

With this 7.1 build I'm unable to use Mobile Hotspot without getting a nag about it not being activated in my ATT plan. The previous version of 7.1 I tried worked fine with Mobile Hotspot.

I had the same issue with .342 on my T-mo phone, but no issue on my Bell phone. I ended up installing the T-mo .284. In the past when I've seen this issue, it only required a removal and reinstall of the DM and the BB OS on the PC. I didn't have the time to do this when I was installing to my T-mo phone. Usually, it is the 2nd Vendor.xml file that is the issue.

__________________
Steve (Besadmin)

Previously owned:
At least 17+ different BB's since 1999 -- too many to list...

Running OK on mine, although the Cell signal seems to disappear and never come back, so I end up having to battery pull. Only seems to be a problem in weak signal areas. Never had these issues with bundle 921...

Other than that, all works well

Is anyone able to use Mobile Hotspot? When I try and enable it, it says that Activation is required!! Not sure if that's a bug or what!

Finally a real (and the latest) OS7.1 for the 9900 stuck at the top of the 9000 thread!!!! Only took a couple of months.

On Rogers I get an option for 2g only. I actually set my phone for 3G/H+ only as I find on the upper floors on the office tower where I work, it will stay on H+ if I chose 3G/H+ as opposed to choosing 2G and 3G/H+ as it almost always goes down to EDGE. (I keep it in a charging pod)
On Rogers I can use hotspot without any nag, although I do have teathering on my plan (at no cost), so that may be why. Rogers quietly started a couple of years ago to charge for teathering, I think. Don't know the logic behind this, except to make money for Rogers. I just noticed a while ago that my bill itemized teathering and had/has a 0.00 charge for it.
I currently have two somewhat remote location where I spend weekends, holidays where neither cable or dsl internet are available (only an hour and a quarter north of Toronto - so much for broadband for all) so have been using a "turbo hub" from Bell for internet. I have used my 9900 hotspot (on Rogers) on a couple of occasions and it gets 2meg downloads which is twice as fast as the Bell turbohub. I may up my data plan with Rogers and replace the Bell turbohub as the preferred internet connection with my Roger's 9900 hotspot.

I have tried to install this, but after the usual delete vendor.xml and running Loader.exe, it does not show this as a supported OS for my 9900. Is there any other pre-requisites?

Mark,
On this verson there is definitely a second vendor.xml file when running Windows 7. In addition to the usual AppLoader directory, I found one in C:\Users\[my UserName]\AppData\Roaming\Research In Motion\Blackberry\Loader XML .

Finally a real (and the latest) OS7.1 for the 9900 stuck at the top of the 9000 thread!!!! Only took a couple of months.

On Rogers I get an option for 2g only. I actually set my phone for 3G/H+ only as I find on the upper floors on the office tower where I work, it will stay on H+ if I chose 3G/H+ as opposed to choosing 2G and 3G/H+ as it almost always goes down to EDGE. (I keep it in a charging pod)
On Rogers I can use hotspot without any nag, although I do have teathering on my plan (at no cost), so that may be why. Rogers quietly started a couple of years ago to charge for teathering, I think. Don't know the logic behind this, except to make money for Rogers. I just noticed a while ago that my bill itemized teathering and had/has a 0.00 charge for it.
I currently have two somewhat remote location where I spend weekends, holidays where neither cable or dsl internet are available (only an hour and a quarter north of Toronto - so much for broadband for all) so have been using a "turbo hub" from Bell for internet. I have used my 9900 hotspot (on Rogers) on a couple of occasions and it gets 2meg downloads which is twice as fast as the Bell turbohub. I may up my data plan with Rogers and replace the Bell turbohub as the preferred internet connection with my Roger's 9900 hotspot.

I am with Rogers and I also (if I was not clear in my previous post) have the three options: 2G only (unlike apparently AT&T) 2G and 3G/H+ as well as 3G/H+ only. I also choose 3G/H+ only (in order to prevent automatic downgrading to EDGE in weak signal areas) while in Canada, but do not recommed it while roaming where 3G/H+ may not be available.

Interestingly while in south Florida a couple of weeks ago on AT&T I never went to H+, only 3G. Did AT&T skip H+ and go directly to LITE from 3G?

I am with Rogers and I also (if I was not clear in my previous post) have the three options: 2G only (unlike apparently AT&T) 2G and 3G/H+ as well as 3G/H+ only. I also choose 3G/H+ only (in order to prevent automatic downgrading to EDGE in weak signal areas) while in Canada, but do not recommed it while roaming where 3G/H+ may not be available.

Interestingly while in south Florida a couple of weeks ago on AT&T I never went to H+, only 3G. Did AT&T skip H+ and go directly to LITE from 3G?